The Octo Assist scheme is offered by the energy firm to some of its most vulnerable customers, helping them manage their bills and stay warm during the winter period
Octopus Energy, a major energy supplier serving more than seven million customers across the UK, has announced a significant expansion to its winter support programme. The Octo Assist scheme targets the company’s most vulnerable customers, offering assistance with bill management and keeping homes heated throughout the colder months.
The comprehensive support package draws from a £40m fund, providing grants, tailored assistance, standing charge waivers, complimentary electric blankets, and additional resources. However, eligibility for the scheme is limited, so it’s worthwhile submitting an application and awaiting the company’s decision if you believe you require extra support.
Additional assistance has become available after Octopus announced that a further £116,500 has been added following a fundraising campaign. Customers contributed over £66,000 by donating their credits, with Octopus providing a matching donation, substantially boosting the funds available for vulnerable customers.
Posting on X, Octopus Energy stated: “You wrapped up Free Electricity on the warmest note. Over 30k of you chose to donate your credits, raising £66.5k!
“We matched £50k, meaning £116,500 is now helping customers stay warm through Octo Assist, our £40m bill support fund. We’re hugely proud of this community.”
According to Octopus Energy, over 100,000 customers have seen their bills supported through Octo Assist. Furthermore, the firm’s in-house support team reportedly aids more than 360 households on average each month.
The company also operates a ‘you pay, we pay’ initiative whereby for every additional payment made by a customer in debt, Octopus contributes an equivalent amount towards reducing that customer’s outstanding balance over time. The Octo Assist scheme was previously expanded to offer targeted support to pensioners with a one-off credit of up to £200.
The company has also trained its support team to assist people in applying for other benefits they could be eligible for.
Who can receive extra support through the scheme?
Octopus Energy does not provide specific guidance on who it will support through the scheme. However, its online guidance indicates that the support will be made available for its most vulnerable customers.
Therefore, if you are an Octopus Customer who believes they could benefit from additional help from the company, you should first set up a Paylink budget to provide the necessary financial information, which can be assessed. As part of this assessment, Octopus may decide that you’re eligible for the scheme and thus could receive extra support for your energy bills.
Further details of this can be found here.
Other support offered by Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy also provides the following support for its customers:
- Heat loss cameras: Loaning thermal imaging cameras to help customers identify and fix draughts, reducing energy usage
- Energy Helpers: Providing tailored in-person energy-saving advice through the ‘Energy Helpers’ scheme, with over 300,000 homes visited so far
- Social Workers: In-house social worker team to provide one-to-one support
- Saving Sessions: Sessions to help customers save money by using less energy during peak periods, which currently has over two million participants
- Free Electricity Sessions: Customers signed up to the ‘Octoplus’ rewards scheme can get free additional electricity above their normal usage levels whenever the wholesale electricity price drops significantly or goes negative